Catalonia contributes €94.7 million to aid self-employed

The Catalan government has announced that it will set aside another 94.7 million euros in aid for self-employed workers, now totaling 374.7 million, in a renewed push to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The labor department will begin issuing €2,000-payments from next Monday, hoping to complete all transfers within two weeks.

In total, 187,392 workers who applied for the subsidy are planned to receive it, accounting for over 57% of all self-employed people in Catalonia, 47,000 more people than Catalan authorities originally expected.

Most recipients of the financial assistance work in sectors such as retail, bars and restaurants, transport, and construction.

The minister of work for the Catalan government, Chakir El Homrani, has expressed his "deep concern" regarding the low annual income reported by most self-employed workers who requested the payment.

Only 23.6% earned more than €10,000 throughout 2020 and 37.2% earned less than €5,000. 13.5% reported a negative balance.

Temporarily laid-off workers to receive assistance

Over 70% of furloughed workers will be receiving between €600 and €900 from the Catalan government in the coming weeks as part of the economic aid package for workers and companies most affected by Covid-19 that was announced in January. 

All in all, authorities have set aside 93.5 million euros for this purpose—less than what was initially planned as fewer people than expected, 141,700 in total, applied and will be receiving these benefits.